Locating feeders
 

Just signed up for my first land lease. I need some advice in locating corn feeders? The property has several large creeks areas with small streams. It ranges from heavy tree cover to light cover, small hills with heavy oak tree cover. Native grass. Located in north-central Oklahoma.

RE: Locating feeders
 

Find deer trails near bedding areas. Place the feeders about 10 yards off the trail, with some nearby cover. Start feeding 6-8 weeks before opening day.

RE: Locating feeders
 

If you have a dominant wind direction (usually northwest winds) lay out the stand locations and approach to the feeders with this in mind. Use old fields or cut out shooting lanes with good visibility. If the bucks are shy you may have to set up in the woods to catch the bucks before dark.

RE: Locating feeders
 

I"ve set up many a feeder. They sure seem to work better in the open than in the brush. I"d have thought it the other way around but when in the thick brush the deer use it to bed. So they can't be seen. When feeding they must feel more secure more in the open or where they can see better. After all they will be head down most of the time and need to be able to instantly see now and again. In the brush its just not possible.

At least thats my 28 years worth of experience dealing with feeders. I now use them but don't hunt by them, I use access routes to them with much better luck.

Jeff

RE: Locating feeders
 

First thing I would do is try and get a topo map. Locate any possible funnels that deer would travel and set up near these funnels. I would not set up on them because this would disturb the deers natural routes. I think you need to be in a nice open area where the deer feel comfortable, but also have some sort of brush near you or on one side of you so that they will have a safety route in case they are frightened.

RE: Locating feeders
 

You pretty much cant go wrong when putting up feeders, but I would put them where deer frequent, or where they already feed, or 20 yds away from a good stand tree. If you put it out they will feed.